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The latest Epson projectors are about to hit the street (late October predicted for UK market). The top of the range unit is called TW9200 in Europe and 5030UB in the USA and is available in a wireless HDMI or wired HDMI version.

So far there is no 'hands-on experience of this new PJ, other than one UK review which I managed to find and which is quoted below. The original can be seen at this site:

"Review on the Epson EH-TW9200 LCD Projector by Roy Jowett

Epson EH-TW9200 LCD Projector. The EH-TW9200 is the range topping Epson LCD Projector with two version. One including a wireless HDMI option and the other using traditional HDMI connectivity. Both models differ with outer colour casing options but that is where the differences end. Epson ability to offer two options firmly places them into the realm of where usability and movie performances come together like no other manufacturer has yet been able to achieve.

The range topping EHTW9200 takes full advantage of Epson 3LCD, MLA D9 C2 Fine panel technology ensuring the EHTW9200 and the wireless version offer both clarity and crispness without artificial image manipulations. This is a factor that can detract from the overall experience, but using Epson high grade components enables the EHTW9200 to recreate a sharpness and crispness that other competing LCD projectors cannot compete with. What's more both the EHTW9200 and wireless version enable you also allow ISF Calibrators full access ISF calibration software. This means that you can tune the EHTW9200 and wireless version to a standard that other home cinema projectors can only dream of!

Both the EH-TW9200 and EH-TW9200w use the high quality Fujinon lens which is something that Epson are also shouting about. This enables Epson to produce stunningly sharp images that work perfectly with the MLA D9 C2 Fine LCD panel technology and brings another dimension to the EH-TW9200 and wireless EH-TW9200w projector ensuring they produce the very best from of your movies.

You also get an impressive array of features from the Epson EHTW9200 and wireless option. These boast a amazing contrast ratio of 600,000:1. The newer MPA D9 C2fine 3LCD Panels plus Epson Enhanced Super Resolution System enables the EHTW9200 and its wireless counter part to produce stunning colourful movie reproductions which have the ability to change the way you watch movies and television.

What will you see with either the Epson EH-TW9200 or the wireless EH-TW9200w when viewing? Well you will see massive improvements within the the black to grey graduation pallet. Colours are far more accurate ensuring that the EH-TW9200 and the wireless option produces wonderful, colourful movie reproductions which have been one of its weaker points in the past. You will also notice that extra clarity and crispness thanks to the high grade lens which is purer lens than before, again complimenting Epson improved technologies Epson has retained the class leading zoom and also kept its outstanding lens shift plus lens shutter system making the EH-TW9200 one of the more positionable home cinema lcd projectors around, at the same time, ensuring that when the EH-TW9200 and wireless options lens is kept out of sit when not in use..

So to summarise both the Epson EHTW9200 and its wireless counter part the EHTW9200w has changed from its predecessor from the older models with ease. This is usually very difficult with some manufacturers and the first incarnations are usually outstanding anyway. We though have always though that the older models lacked that pista de resistance whereas the new EHTW9200 and the EHTW9200w can fully redeem themselves with outstanding imagery. This lets you enjoy your movies and television in place of thinking that, just maybe - I should have chosen that other projector."

Contrast ratio up from 320,000:1 to 600,000:1 (so possibly even better black levels)

I have already pre-ordered my 9200 and am looking forward to installing it in early September.

The purpose of this thread will be to provide useful advice, hints, tips, troubleshooting etc to owners and prospective owners of this great PJ along with general information on how to get the best out of the unit, calibration solutions and screen pairing advice. I have reserved a few posts below in order to be able to post specific posts on these topics as and when they arise, which will serve as an easy-to-find reference section of the thread.

Epson Home Entertainment projectors have up to 3x Brighter Colors than their leading competitive 1-chip DLP Home Entertainment Projectors. Epson 720p projectors are 3x Brighter; Epson 1080p projectors are consistently 2x and up to 3x Brighter. Based on NPD data, July 2011 through June 2012. Color brightness (color light output) measured in accordance with IDMS 15.4. Color brightness will vary depending on usage conditions.

Power focus and zoom would be terrific, as would memories for those wanting different aspect ratios. In this respect, Epson still lag behind JVC. What I am waiting for most is a review that describes the black levels as compared with the outgoing comparable models.

Manual zoom and focus, and motorized lents cover is Nice.
Whats this player rocks is the 3D features.

Theres a similar model in europe TW8200 (2400€) about 400€ cheaper than tw9200 with same specs, but than model wont be a avaiable in Uk.

The problem with manual zoom and focus, coupled with lack of memories, is that it makes it next to impossible to use the PJ with multiple aspect ratios - eg those with 2.35:1 screens. For everyone else, focus and zoom is probably a 'set once and forget it' thing, so they won't be bothered by it. It certainly doesn't affect the real performance of the PJ.

3D is still, for most people, a non-event unfortunately.

Once the PJ is on sale I expect we will see more participants in the thread - I hope so anyway - and we can get some hands-on experience. As I said earlier, if they have improved the black levels still further, they will have a winner in their hands anyway.

If all the rumors are true, this unit could be a better buy than the HW50 or the HW55es. Better lens, higher contrast ratio, and a dedicated game mode would make this the all around king i nthe ~$3000 PJ market.

If all the rumors are true, this unit could be a better buy than the HW50 or the HW55es. Better lens, higher contrast ratio, and a dedicated game mode would make this the all around king i nthe ~$3000 PJ market.

I agree. Since I started the thread, there hasn't been much news coming out. I will update the first posts with detailed info as soon as it is available. One the thread gets going, a FAQ might be useful too.

We should get more info next week at CEDIA EXPO 2013 in Denver, CO is scheduled for September 25-28.

Yes, I am looking forward to seeing what comes out of there. What I am really wanting to see is a report from someone who has had hands-on experience of this, and the previous model. Is the image really sharper as I am being told by my UK dealer? Are the blacks better? What other improvements can we expect to see?

5010 --> 5020 --> 5030 - considering how many years of new versions of this similar projector the latest specs are VERY disappointing. How different to human eye (not just specs) are these projectors really? and no power zoom/focus/lens memory when Panny and JVC have been offering in older models? I love my 6010 but see nothing to entice me to "upgrade" to another Epson which is sad after all of these years. I have a 2.35:1 setup.

5010 --> 5020 --> 5030 - considering how many years of new versions of this similar projector the latest specs are VERY disappointing. How different to human eye (not just specs) are these projectors really? and no power zoom/focus/lens memory when Panny and JVC have been offering in older models? I love my 6010 but see nothing to entice me to "upgrade" to another Epson which is sad after all of these years. I have a 2.35:1 setup.

I'm not sure we have enough information yet to make a decision. It is probably an evolution rather than a revolution, and for anyone who already has the 6010/6020 there is probably not enough to make an upgrade worthwhile. But for those, like me, who doesn't have any of the series, it's worth waiting for rather than buying a current model, even at a discounted price. The improved CR with the prospect of deeper blacks and the additional (alleged) sharpness are the things I am most interested in. Once I have the 9200/5030 though, I won't be upgrading every year for sure!

I love my 6010 but see nothing to entice me to "upgrade" to another Epson which is sad after all of these years.

All these years? The 6010 is 2 years old, just like my 5010. The BIG feature missing for me is the anamorphic stretch, available on the 6010 with its higher price tag, but missing on the 5010. If the new 5030 is now closer to the 6010 feature-wise (anamorphic stretch, ISF standard calibration, etc.) AND it has other improvements such as:

1. higher contrast - better blacks
2. dynamic iris works in 3D mode
3. RF glasses rather than IR glasses
4. improved sharpness due to better lens
5. improved LCD panels (though I have no idea in what way they are improved)

then I would see very good reason to upgrade. I mean, we are talking about upgrading a sub $3k projector after 2 years of faithful duty, not a $10k, $15k, or higher priced projector that I really NEED to get my money's worth from. The 5010 is the projector that I have owned and used the longest (by a good margin) of ANY projector I have owned over the last 12 years, and it was among the lowest priced. If I threw it in the garbage tomorrow it would have cost me less than any other unit I have ever owned over 2 years.

But the proof is in the pudding. I will wait until I get credible reports of just what the 5030 does and does not do, and how well it does it. Based on my extreme happiness with my 5010, I would not hesitate to buy another Epson again, something I can not say for JVC, Panasonic, Sony, InFocus, Optoma, Sanyo, Planar, Sim2, or Sharp - the others I have owned.

I love my 6010 but see nothing to entice me to "upgrade" to another Epson which is sad after all of these years.

All these years? The 6010 is 2 years old, just like my 5010. The BIG feature missing for me is the anamorphic stretch, available on the 6010 with its higher price tag, but missing on the 5010. If the new 5030 is now closer to the 6010 feature-wise (anamorphic stretch, ISF standard calibration, etc.) AND it has other improvements such as:

1. higher contrast - better blacks
2. dynamic iris works in 3D mode
3. RF glasses rather than IR glasses
4. improved sharpness due to better lens
5. improved LCD panels (though I have no idea in what way they are improved)

then I would see very good reason to upgrade. I mean, we are talking about upgrading a sub $3k projector after 2 years of faithful duty, not a $10k, $15k, or higher priced projector that I really NEED to get my money's worth from. The 5010 is the projector that I have owned and used the longest (by a good margin) of ANY projector I have owned over the last 12 years, and it was among the lowest priced. If I threw it in the garbage tomorrow it would have cost me less than any other unit I have ever owned over 2 years.

But the proof is in the pudding. I will wait until I get credible reports of just what the 5030 does and does not do, and how well it does it. Based on my extreme happiness with my 5010, I would not hesitate to buy another Epson again, something I can not say for JVC, Panasonic, Sony, InFocus, Optoma, Sanyo, Planar, Sim2, or Sharp - the others I have owned.

Great endorsement of the Epson there, Bob. I share the rest of your feelings about the potential upsides of the 5030. And, chances are, if you do upgrade, you will get a decent price for your 5010 on the secondhand market to offset the upgrade cost.